Caged (Savage Men 1)

And it feels so damn good … I kiss him back just as hard.

Because at this moment, I realize I could’ve lost the chance to ever kiss him again.

When our lips unlock, he murmurs, “Mine.”

There’s that word again. That word that creates butterflies in my stomach.

I finally understand it now. It’s his way of saying ‘I love you.’ His pledge to me.

“I’m yours,” I say, leaning my forehead against his.

“Safe … you need to be safe …” he mumbles, and he places a hand on my belly. “For the baby.”

I don’t know why he thinks I’m pregnant. Maybe he’s just hoping I am because it’s the only thing that keeps him going. I won’t take away that belief, even if neither of us truly knows. But that still doesn’t change anything about our situation inside this cell.

“I’ll never be safe in here,” I say.

“Escape,” he says.

“We tried that already, and it didn’t work,” I reply.

“Try again.” He looks up into my eyes. “Don’t give up.”

I can’t believe he’s using my words against me. He’s getting smart on me.

Still, even if I did try to escape, I couldn’t bear to leave him here. “But what about you?” I ask.

He shrugs. “Leave me.”

“No,” I say, making a face. “I can’t and don’t you bring that up again.”

“You,” he says, clutching my head. “Be safe … so the baby is safe.”

“Baby? You keep saying baby. Why?” I ask.

He points at the stick lying on the floor. I forgot I even brought it with me when I rushed into his cell.

However, when I pick it up to look, my jaw drops, my whole body shaking.

I’m … pregnant.

Chapter Thirty-One

Accompanying Song: “Agents” by Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein

Cage

I feel terrible from the fight, my body hurting on all sides, but I still can’t help but feel happy because she’s pregnant. She’s finally having my baby. Our baby.

The stripes on the stick show that she’s pregnant. Father taught me how the stick works, so I can alert him. But now I don’t want to … I don’t want him to know.

I place my hand on her belly again, wanting so desperately to feel our little one inside her.

However, the look on her face makes me doubt she’s as happy as I am.

Biting her lip, she shakes her head. “This can’t be happening.”

I know why she’s upset. Being in here means being subjected to my father’s whims and that includes the baby. I can’t let him do the same to our kid as he did to me. She has to get out of here.

I nod. “You will escape.” I grab her hand. “Whatever it takes.”

She nods too, her face darkening. She finally understands what must be done.

She has to leave me here.

It’s the only way.

Father only takes her out of this room without me, so that’s her only shot.

“I’m not giving up on you,” she says, placing a hand on my face. “I’ll get us both out of here. I promise.”

I place my hand on top of hers, forcing myself to vividly remember her touch, so I won’t forget once she’s gone.

I know she means best … but I know my father better.

He values his business more than anything in the world. He’d never, ever let me leave.

Suddenly, I hear a clicking noise, and we both look at the black door. That sound means it’s open again … but more important is the reason.

Father’s voice booms through the speakers. “Get back in your room.”

He’s talking to Ella, but she’s reluctant to go, still holding me tight.

“Go. I’m fine,” I lie, but I don’t want her to worry.

Right now is not the time to defy him. Not yet. It won’t work if we’re both stuck in the same cell. He’ll never come in here. She needs to go to him to make it work.

“But—”

I place a finger on her lips and whisper, “Escape.”

I want her to be safe. For our kid to grow up somewhere good instead of in here. She knows how important it is to me because she nods, biting her lip.

I pull her in for another deep kiss before releasing her from my grip. “Go.”

She slowly gets up, grabbing all the items from the box, and then walks backward out of the door, taking everything with her. When the door closes, I sigh, but even that is painful. My body aches with every inch of movement, but I don’t want to show her weakness. Not now. Not ever.

For her, I will be strong, no matter how difficult it is.

Because I owe it to her … for bringing me something no one else could.

Compassion.

Accompanying Song: “Hanging Lights” by Kyle Dixon & Michael Stein

Ella

I go back into my cell and sit down on the bed, watching Cage carefully from where I’m seated. I don’t want to go, but I know Graham will come to get me. It’s only a matter of time until he knows I’m pregnant. Maybe he already knows.